When Ashton was ready, Alden brought him a pair of solid fine boots that had an insane balance. It seemed more like military boots but it had a beautiful aura. Ashton fell in love with them the very instant his eyes landed on them.
"For you." Alden smiled, dropping them by Ashton's feet.
Ashton was smitten but he wasn't going to express his vulnerability by accepting such an item which seemed super expensive from Alden. He reluctantly declined to collect them but Alden cajoled him to collect it saying it was a gift from them all for joining in as their newest roommate.
Ashton finally accepted them as he was going to accept them anyway. He pushed his feets into the boots and surprisingly, they were a perfect fit.
"By the way, where is Ulysses? I haven't seen him since I woke up this morning." Ashton asked, still admiring his new fit.
"The smart boy left for the training ground early before dawn to practice for his physical strength test." Marcus replied.
"Smart boy huh?" Ashton posed staring balantly at Marcus, his Express ranging from skepticism to curiosity about what Marcus was trying to drive with his words by calling Ulysses smart.
Marcus ignored Ashton's mild protest and asked if he was ready to leave.
"Oi, any hint to help me during my examination huh?" Ashton asked both boys a stupid smile forming on his face.
*Sigh!*
Ashton looked at both as they disappointedly shook their heads at him. Well, that did not give a subtle answer to his question so he turned at Marcus for a definite response but he looked away from Ashton's gaze. Ashton shrugged, turning towards Alden and the latter finally succumbed to his question.
"The examinations are not always the same every time. There are no cheats for this, Ashton." Alden admitted, his voice filled with certainty.
._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.
Marcus led the way to the arena where the test would test and the other boys trailed behind him. Ashton tried to engage Alden in a conversation but Alden wasn't interested and he refused to share much. Ashton was basically talking to himself as the journey to the arena continued. He tried his possible best to make Alden talk but they all proved futile.
Finally, they arrived at the arena and all the students of the academy were present at the spectator's seats, cheering at the new intakes who's future in the academy will be decided starting from that day.
Ashton turned at Alden for the last time and asked,
"Are you also participating in this test, Alden?"
Marcus snickered at Ashton's question while Alden stared at him weirdly, his eyes clearing shooting disgusting looks at him. He couldn't help but wonder how many percent of common sense Ashton actually put to use on a daily basis.
*Sigh!*
"I have an ability." Alden said, turning away from Ashton abruptly to go seat amidst the spectators to watch the test that was about to unfold. Marcus followed suit.
Ashton's eyes leveled at both boys as he watched them walk away from him. He scoffed and as he was about to turn back, his eyes locked with that of Aurelia in the crowd. A smile crept into his face and he raised his hand, sending her quick waves. Aurelia, feeling embarrassed by his actions, raised her middle fingers at him until she looked away from him.
"Hey!"
Ashton turned around.
"Jamil,"
"Guess you are more than prepared for these tests."
"Well,..." Ashton paused, thinking for a while whether he should answer or not. He finally chooses his resolve. "I'm probably below average right now but I bet I will do well with the physical strength test." He boasted giving Jamil a reassuring smile and the latter let out a small smile as well.
._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.
"Ladies and gentlemen, senior Mages, junior Mages and sub-students, welcome to the arena!"
"What a profound joy it is to welcome you, the good students of the Mages Training Academy, to the resumption of the elimination wage." The arena announcer began using magic to amplify his voice.
The spectators cheered loudly at his announcement. The announcer continued after clearing his throat briefly so the spectators could stop their cheering chants.
"I guarantee that you are in for the most riveting spectacle in all of the city of Mores Katunsan, Araphelus county. The rules are very simple: three harrowing challenge's which has been narrowed to physical strength tests alone with no examination attached."
"Two opponents in each test- whoever survived in this battle moves on to the next stage. No magic, maybe a little if they can wield it yet, no weapons and no mercy!'' The announcer stopped, his eyes darting about the arena, waiting for the new chanting to stop.
"As for the reward, after clearing each level, the contestants get a reawakening for a system ability. Be it they have gotten an elemental gift from birth or not, they will get their system and be officiated as official disciples and students in this great academy. Anyone who fails to clear all three levels will be kicked out and never to be reinstated into this academy."
Another loud cheering engulfed the whole arena and the announcer teleported away from the arenas' battle ground.
*****
"Now, to the next battle," The announcer began again after the last fight had ended and some students had rushed the defeated opponent out of the arena as he had been badly injured. "Ulysses, Ashton…please enter ring A."
"Ulysses?" Ashton smiled, he could ask for a better opponent to crush as his first test since the first examination had been removed from the fleeting tests. "I'd prefer to fight with someone else other than this twerp but what choice do I have?" He boasted.
Jamil gave Ashton's shoulder a squeeze to cheer him up with his fight.
"Break a leg!" He whispered as he watched Ashton enter the arenas' ring A.
Ulysses had also stepped into the arena and both walked towards each other heads on as required by the Academy's principles to greet your opponent briefly.
"Are you sure you do not have any last wishes?" Ashton sneered at Ulysses, a faint smile creeping off his lips.
"It might be your last chance to forfeit this fight as well." Ulysses said back with a lot of determination in his words. "For me, I will not back down till I crush you."
The announcer broke in with another announcement. "On the first test, we appraise each participant's level, you are allowed only three minutes to demonstrate your prowess. Then,... begin!"
"Sure I'd end your suffering with one punch." Ashton uttered before cackling the bones of his fingers. He watched Ulysses steadily and the latter wasn't ready to charge first.
Ashton did the honors and sent a punch at Ulysses but he was quick to drift backwards, successfully ducking the attack. Ashton could see Ulysses' lips mumble something he couldn't quite hear and before he knew it, his opponent had sent a small punch which resounded with a heavy impact against his chest sending him flying backwards with full force.
The crowd cheered loudly at Ulysses small but mighty move and the whole crowd stood up cheering for him.
"No way! That kid is incredible! He's got some crazy powers!" The announcer appraised as they all watched Ashton reeling backwards in thin air.
'Wait!' Ashton said in his thoughts as he was being suspended in the air. 'He can use magic already?'
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